Up for auction is this rare Ostby & Barton 10k gold signet ring. The initials, "O.B." on the inside of the ring indicates its manufacturer as Ostby & Barton Company. "10k" is also stamped on the inside of the ring. Ostby & Barton rings are highly desired by fine antique jewelry collectors due to their exquisite workmanship and their fascinating history. Due to its small size, we believe this particular example is probably a lady's or child's ring. It has the initial "A" engraved on it.

The Ostby & Barton Company was a jewelry firm established by Engelhart C. Ostby and Nathan B. Barton on July 1, 1879 in Providence, Rhode Island. Engelhart Cornelius Ostby was a goldsmith who immigrated to the United States from Oslo, Norway. The Ostby Barton Company, which he co-founded, became the largest producer of gold rings in the United States during that time.

As a very successful jeweler, beginning in 1906, each year Engelhart and daughter, Helen, traveled to Europe together to view the newest ring styles and designs of European jewelers as well as purchase gemstones for his jewelry business. And so it was that on April 10th of 1912, it was time to set sail for home in Providence. Ostby, age 65, and his daughter, Helen Ragnhild Ostby, age 22, boarded a ship, traveling first class, which sailed from Cherbourg, France. The ship? The R.M.S. Titanic .

The Titanic sank off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada on April 15, 1912. Engelhart Ostby was among the 1,500 passengers who perished. After the iceberg collision at 11:40 p.m. on April 14th, both father and daughter waited to board Lifeboat No.5. Due to the temperature being around 25-28 degrees F, Ostby decided to return to his cabin for warmer clothing.

His daughter, Helen, was forced to board the lifeboat without her father at 12:55 a.m. She survived. The Titanic sank at 2:20 a.m. on April 15, 1912. Engelhart Ostby was later listed as corpse #234 in the list of the deceased.

In 1914, Helen, her brother, Harold and one of his daughters became joint owners of Ostby Barton. Ostby & Barton Company ceased jewelry production in the 1950s. Helen Ostby died in 1978 at age 88.

In addition to Masonic jewelry, Ostby & Barton jewelry made many different styles of gold rings for both men and women including Art Deco Rings, Filigree Rings, Cameo Rings and many other Victorian styles which were popular in that era and are still popular, today.

This item is in as-is, used, vintage condition meaning that it is from an estate, as are all of the items we sell on ebay. Please read this description carefully and look closely at all photos before bidding as we are unable to accept returns . If you have any questions, please email us via the ebay contact seller link above. Thanks for looking!

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